Sunglasses Fashioned To Increase Protection

PRIME

August 03, 2005|By KORKY VANN; SPECIAL TO THE COURANT

Got sunglasses? Know why?

Like the sudden spike in milk sales after the launch of the famous ``Got Milk'' promotion, marketing experts credit a clever advertising campaign launched 41 years ago for much of the public's enduring passion for looking at the world through dark-colored lenses.

In 1964, FosterGrant launched its famous ``Who's that behind those Foster Grants?'' ads, and suddenly sunglasses went from casual beachwear to must-have chic. (For those too young to remember, the promotion featured such Hollywood celebs as Peter Sellers, Claudia Cardinale, Elke Sommer, Anthony Quinn, Robert Goulet, Julie Christie, Woody Allen, Raquel Welch and Sophia Loren, all peering provocatively from behind FosterGrant shades.)

Since then, sunglasses have maintained their A-list accessory status, donned by everyone from Jackie O to ``CSI: Miami'''s lead character, Horatio Caine, played by David Caruso.

But vision researchers at Lighthouse International say sunglasses are far are more than a trendy fashion statement. They reduce the amount of light entering the eye, protect against harmful UV light, decrease glare, increase contrast and help prevent permanent eye damage from the sun. People outdoors a lot, especially during the summer, have an increased risk of developing cataracts, corneal problems and other age-related eye conditions.

``The thinning ozone layer of the Earth's atmosphere has resulted in increased levels of UV light leading to changes in the eye,'' says Bruce P. Rosenthal, chief of low vision problems at Lighthouse International. ``To prevent irreversible damage to the eyes that may lead to macular degeneration and other conditions, people of all ages should wear sunglasses as well as hats or visors.''

To be effective, both must be worn whenever you head outdoors for prolonged periods, even when it's overcast. And the most important consideration when buying both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses is choosing models that block 99 percent to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. Lens color and price tag, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology, have little correlation to the amount of protection provided.

Many inexpensive sunglasses provide equal or greater protection than pricier pairs. (Consumers are often paying for style, frame quality and options such as scratch-resistant coatings, not protective ability.)

Some recent innovations, such as high-performance sunglasses designed specifically for golfers, could be as helpful as Big Bertha drivers. The new lenses, such as those from PeakVision Sports, protect the eyes from ultraviolet light but also help improve a duffer's game -- including putting -- by increasing the contrast while reducing the reflections back into the eye.

Lighthouse International offers the following tips for choosing safe models:

*Dark lenses do not necessarily have UV protection. Check for labeling that says the lenses absorb 99 percent to 100 percent of UV light, particularly UV-B. An ultraviolet-blocking coating can also be placed on any lens, regardless of the degree of tint. However, a coating does not block as much UV light as the protective lens.

*If you have a vision impairment, speak with your eye-care professional or low-vision specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist) to learn which sunglasses best suit your needs. Absorptive lenses come in many tints, with varying degrees of light transmission. They are available in designs that can fit over your glasses, slip behind regular glasses, clip on or flip up.

*Whether you have vision problems, you may have difficulty adapting to abrupt changes in light levels, such as when entering a movie theater. Wearing sunglasses outdoors will help to decrease the adjustment time indoors.